Wanted terrorists among 'neutralized' in Turkey

By Aykut Karadag

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces “neutralized” five terrorists, including PKK members and wanted terrorists, in a counterterrorism operation in the country’s east, according to the Turkish Interior Ministry on Saturday.

The air-assisted operations took place on July 10 in outskirts of Tunceli's Ovacik district, the ministry said in a statement.

Among the terrorists were two PKK members and three Marxist-Leninist Communist Party (MLKP) members.

One of the MLKP terrorists was "Seydo" codenamed Taylan Kutlar in the blue category of the Interior Ministry's wanted list, the statement said, adding he was sought with a one million Turkish lira (around $177,000) bounty on his head.

The other MLKP terrorist was "Pirdogan" codenamed Hidir Calli who was sought with 300,000 Turkish liras (around $53,000) bounty on his head.

Meanwhile, four PKK terrorists were neutralized in a Tuesday operation in southeastern Diyarbakir province.

One of the terrorists was "Sorhin Eruh" codenamed Meryem Aksu in the orange category of the wanted terrorists list and sought with a bounty of 600,000 Turkish liras (roughly $106,000).

The list is divided into five color-coded categories, with red as the most wanted, followed by blue, green, orange and gray.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

* Writing by Dilara Hamit from Ankara